Hey guys, I've never posted before or if I have I cant remember. This has been a great forum for me to get so many different opinions, and there's so much great knowledge in here, I feel I never would've learned half the stuff I know now without browsing this site.

Moving on though, I've had a pair of Vans boots for about 4 seasons. They never broke in to the degree that I wanted. There was always pressure on my toes and it wasn't that great having a numb right foot halfway through the day. They were just such an expensive purchase (relative to my income as a college student) I needed to make them work.

This season I finally decided it was time for new boots. So I started trying a few different brands on, Nike, DC, Burton and finally 32. I picked the lashed because it was wide enough for my big toes but I was able to keep the heel hold without the boot being too massive. I've been wearing them around the house to break them in a bit.

**Background story**

The shop nearby, the only one that actually stocked 32's only had an 11 and a 10. The 10 was impossibly small and the 11 was too big, my foot moved around everywhere. The guy working with me told me that the 11 was fine for me and that you wanted room to breathe. o_O I asked him how much the boot would pack out, considering the boot was already too big. He said it would fill in around my foot, maybe that's true but I didn't think so. I knew the 10.5 would be perfect. But they didn't have any and weren't about to order one, so much for supporting small business.

So I went online and got a pair of Cyan 32 Lashed boots in a 10.5 They fit amazing I'm so stoked to get these on the hill. I've been wearing them all day, they are on as I type this lol. So I just called around to see who would be able to heat mold the boots. I figure it cant hurt right? I just got off the phone with a local shop that does it. But they want $50 for the service because of liabilities. Are you kidding me? Is this normal? I mean I know I didn't buy the boots from any shop so they have no obligation to help me out but do shops normally charge for heat molding?

So if you've made it this far my question is, is it worth trying to find a place that will heat mold for free or like 5$ lol? Maybe one of the local mountains? Or should I continue to wear the boots and just be happy with them? I've gotten the impression it's not the best idea to heat mold yourself, especially in my case where they already fit so well. Thanks guys sorry if this post seems redundant, I just couldn't believe the girl on the phone quoted me $50 for heat molding. A tune up there is $70 as well O_O this site has saved me lots of money in the long run with self tuning. /End rant

But they want $50 for the service because of liabilities. Are you kidding me? Is this normal? I mean I know I didn't buy the boots from any shop so they have no obligation to help me out but do shops normally charge for heat molding?

So if you've made it this far my question is, is it worth trying to find a place that will heat mold for free or like 5$ lol? Maybe one of the local mountains? Or should I continue to wear the boots and just be happy with them? I've gotten the impression it's not the best idea to heat mold yourself, especially in my case where they already fit so well. Thanks guys sorry if this post seems redundant, I just couldn't believe the girl on the phone quoted me $50 for heat molding. /End rant

Yes, I know the concept is foreign to you as a college student, but people provide services in return for money

It is completely normal for shops to charge around $30-40 to heat mold boot that you didn't buy at the store (it has been this way for decades). It takes over a half hour and the attention of an employee... some places will do it for free if you buy them a pack of beer and come when the store is empty... but free or $5?!? that's less than what you would pay a shoe shiner.

Heat molding just speeds up the natural break-in process... if your boots feel good, don't bother.
You can also do it yourself (there are a few how-tos on the internet) if you can read and follow directions consistently and carefully... then just tip yourself $5

Thanks for the replys, I'm sorry I came off being ignorant towards shops and basic economics. I realize they need to make money and I felt bad enough having to order online instead of supporting a small local business. These boots are the only piece of equipment I've bought that wasn't through a local shop.

I think I got caught up in the fact that the employee was trying harder to make a sale than help me out with honest advice. And I didn't realized that the heat molding process was something more than a glorified boot dryer haha. That was the image in my head O_o

I'll just leave well enough alone and be happy with how they fit. I feel better knowing that heat molding is an actual service, I really thought they were trying to scam me when I was quoted the price of 50$, live and learn :P

Yes, I know the concept is foreign to you as a college student, but people provide services in return for money

It is completely normal for shops to charge around $30-40 to heat mold boot that you didn't buy at the store (it has been this way for decades). It takes over a half hour and the attention of an employee... some places will do it for free if you buy them a pack of beer and come when the store is empty... but free or $5?!? that's less than what you would pay a shoe shiner.

Heat molding just speeds up the natural break-in process... if your boots feel good, don't bother.
You can also do it yourself (there are a few how-tos on the internet) if you can read and follow directions consistently and carefully... then just tip yourself $5

I have never charged a person for molding a snowboard boot. You put it on a glorified hairdryer, wait, have them put it on and lace it up tight, make them walk around and LOOK AT ALL THE PRODUCT IN YOUR STORE, then done. Why charge for that, no "service" was actually given as I didn't actually do anything. More often then not they find something they want to buy too.

If you really can't find a shop anywhere that will do it for free and REALLY want to mold them, take the insoles out, blast them with a hairdryer for about 5 minutes on low or medium (not high), lace up and stand/walk for 15 minutes. Snowboard boots are a lot less finnicky than ski boots. Molding doesn't take any expertise as it does with ski boots.

I have never charged a person for molding a snowboard boot. You put it on a glorified hairdryer, wait, have them put it on and lace it up tight, make them walk around and LOOK AT ALL THE PRODUCT IN YOUR STORE, then done. Why charge for that, no "service" was actually given as I didn't actually do anything. More often then not they find something they want to buy too.

If you really can't find a shop anywhere that will do it for free and REALLY want to mold them, take the insoles out, blast them with a hairdryer for about 5 minutes on low or medium (not high), lace up and stand/walk for 15 minutes. Snowboard boots are a lot less finnicky than ski boots. Molding doesn't take any expertise as it does with ski boots.

Thanks for not charging people. Good boot fitters are hard to find.

I only disagree that for some people, they need more time and work on their boots.

Also, walking around when liners are hot might not be the best thing IMO. I like to do mine with my ankles/knees flexed and try to stay still, or just flex. I got more than 45 days out of some salomon liners that were done this way.

Salomon liners are different. The whole linere isn't moldable. They use have to be heated moldable material in "key" areas. The liners in like K2, Ride, 32, and Burton are all single material liners and the heat molding for these really just breaks them in for day one. They actually don't conform to your foot as much as they would like you to think. It's really best if you are inbetween sizes. If you end up in the slightly bigger size I'll heat them and just make you sit with your feet up so the material expands around their foot. It also helps for heel hold to make the stand on something so there toes are elevated so the heel sinks back into the pocket. Also good if they're in between sizes and went with the smaller one. As I usually have to do.

I have never charged a person for molding a snowboard boot. You put it on a glorified hairdryer, wait, have them put it on and lace it up tight, make them walk around and LOOK AT ALL THE PRODUCT IN YOUR STORE, then done. Why charge for that, no "service" was actually given as I didn't actually do anything. More often then not they find something they want to buy too.

This; it is an excellent, brilliant way to do business. And very effective.

As a business owner myself, I appreciate when I'm a customer and something of a professional courtesy is sent my way (I do the same in my business). As a customer, it definitely leaves a positive mark in my mind, and I will always return to that kind of business for future purchases. In a way, it establishes a sort of trust.

The kind who are "penny wise but pound foolish," in other words, the type that try to squeeze out any amount of money (pennies), sacrifice future purchases (pounds), and don't get my business.